I'm now also seeing (not sure if permanent or an experiment) related keywords being comingled with the result category buttons you're talking about, and it's absolutely infuriating. 90% of the time I'm using those buttons to switch to image search but it's a crapshoot whether Images will be where I expect it to be or in some random place in amongst other related keywords I don't want to search for.
For example, I just did a test search for 'bbc'. My options in that bar are now News, Live, TV guide, Sport, Football, Online, Images, Weather, Bbc news world
I'm fine seeing related keywords, but not where I'm used to switching the result type
It's hard to say what's going on here. If they were trying to get an honest sample of what it is you are interested in they'd have a reason to randomize the order. On the other hand, by randomizing the order and moving things around they might be able to get you confused and click on an ad.
you can provide feedback (via the cog in the upper right)
I just did, more crap design & UX coming out Google
Muscle memory is not a bug.
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> It is usually wrong.
It's usually right for me. I've got to say, I actually appreciate the feature change. It means the most likely option I'm looking for is listed in the first couple, so I don't have to scroll horizontally on mobile.
Also, they track this stuff extensively and have exact metrics on how often people are selecting the 2nd tab vs the 7th one. They don't roll these things out to everyone until they have stats proving they're a success -- like faster clicks.
Now of course there will always be outlier users/queries here, and it sounds like that might be the case for you. But I don't think you should generalize to assume that's the case for everyone.
Google's search results pages, behind the setting buttons, have a new feature 'Send feedback' (at least I see a 'new' badge next to it). I allows free text and submitting a screenshot.